According to Abhinav Mathur, CEO of Something’s Brewing & Kaapi Machines, the most significant trend will be canned or bottled cold brew that is sealed for whenever you are ready to enjoy. A market research and consultancy company named Mordor Intelligence projects that the RTD coffee market in India will expand at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 3.3% from 2022 to 2027. “The simple accessibility of RTD cold brew in convenience stores, supermarket shelves, and e-commerce platforms is one factor in its rising popularity.

The profusion of flavours, like caramel, hazelnut, and vanilla, boosts demand. In RTD coffee, health-conscious Indians are also finding a superior substitute for unhealthy fizzy drinks and a handy energy boost, according to Mathur. A cold brew includes steeping coffee for 12 to 24 hours in cold water to create a concentrate, which is then diluted to lower the pH and lessen the acidity.

According to Mathur, the epidemic shifted patterns, with 85% of coffee users now averaging one to two cups at home. In addition, people now expect excellent café-style coffee at home since there are more speciality cafés, and they have grown accustomed to it. As a result, home brewing is becoming more popular, using everything from simple brew bags to French presses and Moka pots. Furthermore, according to Mathur, home brewing offers greater control over the brewing process.

The stimulant caffeine is one of the reasons why people enjoy coffee. Even ardent coffee drinkers occasionally prefer to sip it for the flavour alone rather than suffer from the adverse effects of caffeine, which include headache, sleeplessness, irritability, frequent urination, and a quicker heartbeat. Introducing “local,” or coffee with reduced caffeine. Arman Sood, the co-founder of Sleepy Owl, says, “This coffee variety delivers sustained energy’ without being too caffeinated.” Choose a 100% arabica mix if you are concerned about caffeine content; it contains around half as much as robusta beans.

Non-dairy milk consumption is anticipated to rise. “The vegan trend and the adoption of plant-based milk go hand in hand. This is now being exacerbated by growing knowledge of lactose sensitivity, according to Sood. Plant-based milk’s protein and calcium content may not be as high as dairy milk’s, but they are lactose-free, low in calories, high in vitamins, and have lower amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. The market is dominated by soy, almond, and oat milk, although potato milk is gaining popularity as a substitute.

We’re likely to see more and more infusions in coffee as people become more concerned with their health and wellness, such as coffee with protein powder, cold coffee with CBD (cannabidiol), mushroom coffee, coffee with ashwagandha, etc. According to Geetu Mohnani, a coffee consultant based in Bengaluru, “this trend is already gaining traction abroad, but my predictions are that we may see speciality roasters getting on board with unique coffee mixes or pre-made RTD coffee with these additives.” For example, since 2021, Rage Coffee has sold coffees in India that contain vitamins sourced from plants. While Rooted Active Naturals sells instant arabica coffee infused with Chaga mushrooms, another company, Itshemp, sells whole coffee beans infused with CBD on their online marketplace.

The origin of the beans will reportedly be more transparent, according to industry sources. According to Mohini, the trend is already noticeable in metro areas, but it will soon spread to tier I and II cities. “Even when we hold coffee markets and events, we find customers shying away from purchasing coffees that are not sustainable, organic, or use additives in their coffee.” The Coffee Board is developing a sustainability code that will assist producers in telling their sustainability story. It will go into effect in six to twelve months. Mohini advises consumers to read labels carefully to determine the estate the coffee is from, the packaging (brands that combine paper and plastic are a major no-no), and to look for companies that have committed to sustainable practices, such as buying coffee from organic farms.

The popularity of subscription services that let customers compare various coffees side by side is expected to rise. Furthermore, the best way to obtain high freshness levels is to order directly from the roastery. Several companies now deliver your preferred coffee to your door, ready for the French press, Moka pot, Aeropress, etc., including Blue Tokai, The Flying Squirrel, Black Baza Coffee, Seven Beans Coffee Company, and Bean Deck.

Arabica has traditionally been the preferred bean. However, this is changing as climate change threatens output and raises prices. Mohini claims that robusta plants are much simpler to grow and more resistant to disease and drought. Additionally, they cost about half as much as arabica. She continues by saying that because robusta is indigenous to India, many farmers are now focusing more on this kind and earning a higher price. Speciality roasters currently provide up to one or two robusta options. According to Mohnani, “but with the robusta’s expanding popularity, we are anticipating at least 70% of all roasteries to stock at least one robusta.”

Industry analysts predict that millennial travellers would make coffee farms one of their favourite vacation spots. Numerous coffee-producing nations, including Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica, are starting to provide vacations dedicated to exploring the world of coffee. Similarly, India is home to several coffee plantations where visitors can participate in fruit picking, observe the roasting process, and partake in tastings.